President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially opened a week-long retreat for newly elected National Resistance Movement MPs and party-leaning independents at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.
The retreat, held under the theme of aligning NRM leadership towards protecting gains and pushing Uganda to a higher middle-income status, is aimed at giving legislators ideological grounding and policy direction as they begin their term in the 12th Parliament.
Museveni was received at NALI by Vice President Jessica Alupo, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and members of the Central Executive Committee.
In his address, the President congratulated the MPs on their victory but urged them to reflect on gaps that need fixing.
“First of all, I congratulate all of you for winning the elections. I also congratulate the NRM and its members in the country for delivering a big victory, although we could have done more if we got rid of some weaknesses,” he said.
He also extended condolences to families of fallen party members, describing their loss as a setback to the movement.
Museveni told MPs that leadership in the NRM requires a deeper understanding of ideology, philosophy and strategy.
“You are now not only followers of the NRM but leaders. A follower may support some aspects of the movement without going deep into its beliefs, but a leader must understand the ideology, philosophy and strategy,” he said.
He likened the Kyankwanzi retreat to a seminary where leaders are sharpened ideologically and tasked to diagnose society’s problems and prescribe solutions.
The President said prosperity must come from production, not dependency.
“Prosperity does not come from begging or corruption. Every adult must produce a good or a service and earn from it,” he said.
He cautioned against identity politics, saying it limits markets and economic growth, and instead urged leaders to prioritise patriotism and regional integration.
“Integration means strength. Fragmentation means weakness,” he said.
Museveni outlined the NRM’s ideological pillars as patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy, saying these are key to Africa’s long-term prosperity and security.
He also pointed to private sector-led growth as the driver of Uganda’s economic progress and highlighted commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT as key sectors.
On corruption, Museveni warned it remains a major threat to government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.
“If you are corrupt, you not only waste government resources but also become a bad example. I will not tolerate corruption,” he said.
He cited complaints about misuse of PDM funds and urged leaders to act as “clean brooms.”
The President also shared his personal experience to stress self-reliance, saying wealth must come from hard work rather than shortcuts.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who chaired the session, welcomed the President and congratulated both him and the legislators on their election victories.
She described the retreat as an opportunity for leaders to receive guidance from the party chairman.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong also welcomed the President and said the retreat would present a full report on the party’s election performance.
During the interaction session, Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere raised concerns about corruption in the health sector, citing drug stock-outs in government facilities.
Museveni responded by promising firm action.
“Corruption, including the theft of drugs in government hospitals, shall be tackled very seriously in the new term,” he
